STEVIE Stockton confirmed her return to top form by obliterating a course record to claim the England 5K Road Championship title in Kingsley on Friday.

The former Vale Royal Athletics Club star, representing Leeds City, knocked 30 seconds off the previous best during her best run over the distance since 2014 – reaching the finish in 15.38.

Holly Smith was the first female to cross the line in Vale Royal’s colours, timing 17.19 to take the runner-up prize in the under 21s age-group category behind Olivia Stones (Leigh Harriers AC).

Ryan Moore led the club’s contingent, classifying inside the top 50 overall of a high-class field that raced in near-perfect conditions.

Oliver Williams was close behind, ranking 55th.

There was success too for Liz Renondeau, second in the women’s over 35s class, while Jayne Lomax (women’s over 50s) and Mary Tavener (women’s over 55s) were third in their categories.

In a fast race, the top 10 men all clocked under 14.20 and seven of those were lifetime bests.

Richard Allen (Aldershot Farnham & District AC) managed to break away with a sprint finish to take the national title, incorporated into the popular Mid-Cheshire 5K.

Emile Cairess, a teammate of Stockton, and Jack Martin (Stockport Harriers) completed the men’s podium.

“It was great to see the growing popularity of the Mid-Cheshire 5K in attracting high-quality runners from across the country,” said Charlotte Fisher, road running manager for England Athletics.

"The organisers, Cute Fruit Events, deserve credit for making this a genuinely popular event for affiliated club runners."

Results

Mid-Cheshire 5K (incorporating England 5K Road Championship)

Friday, April 27

Men

1, Richard Allen (Aldershot Farnham & District AC) 14.07

2, Emile Cairess (Leeds City AC) 14.12

3, Jack Martin (Stockport Harriers) 14.12

Selected Vale Royal AC members

49, Ryan Moore 15.36

55, Oliver Williams 15.39

61, Chris Williams 15.41

104, Matt Rowlinson (under 21s) 16.21

117, James Ainsworth (over 40s) 16.36

136, Jake Wilson (under 21s) 16.52

195, Robert Roe 17.53

225, Curtis Rodway (under 21s) 18.29

227, Lewis Brown (under 21s) 18.33

234, Graham Miles (over 50s) 18.41

254. Scott Bamber (over 50s) 18.56

279, Tom Armstrong (over 40s) 19.35

285, David Humphreys (over 45s) 19.38

322, Anthony Dutton (over 40s) 20.35

331, David Roberts (over 40s) 20.42

333, Geoff Fawkes (over 45s) 20.43

394, John Clarke (over 60s) 22.41

395, Steve Collier (over 55s) 22.41

427, Chris Griffiths (over 55s) 24.04

Women

1, Stevie Stockton (Leeds City AC) 15.38

2, Emily Hosker (Aldershot Farnham & District AC) 15.59

3, Katie Holt (City of Stoke AC) 16.12

Selected Vale Royal AC members

158, Holly Smith (under 21s) 17.19

186, Sarah Murphy (over 40s) 17.52

202, Liz Renondeau (over 35s) 18.06

251, Kate Moulds 19.00

291, Sophie Smith (under 21s) 19.57

325, Melanie Johnson (over 35s) 20.37

330, Lucy Knight 20.40

360, Lucy Burch 21.41

362, Lisa Meadows (over 45s) 21.36

368, Hollie Carrington 21.49

389, Mary Tavener (over 55s) 22.34

409, Jayne Lomas (over 50s) 23.21

421, Sharon Wilson (over 45s) 24.01

472, Lynda Humphreys (over 45s) 26.41

479, Ann Collier (over 45s) 26.57